We have a tabletop tree, not a full-sized one, even though we have a "huge" house (1,550 square feet is "huge," I guess).

We also have a menorah (I'm Jewish).

We do not have boughs of holly or outdoor lights or blow-up Santas or anything that could be classified as a jingle bell, though. My husband is finishing up his degree this week, I'm pregnant and can barely get through work most days, and it just wasn't going to happen.

(This one is courtesy of my husband's stepmother, who wondered if we're interfering with my stepdaughter's religious development. The parenting plan is silent on religion other than mentioning it's a joint-custody issue--because neither parent is religious. And I'm pretty sure "decorations" do not fall under religious development in any case.)

Happy holidays to all of my blended family friends!

ProtoLawyer (the now-actual lawyer, this isn't legal advice, please don't take legal advice from some anonymous yahoo on the Internet)Spouse (the political geek) * Stepdaughter (the artist) * and introducing...the Baby (um, he's a baby? He likes shiny things).

Not a blended family mama, but I HAD to comment on this one. Couldn't it be argued that too many decorations would interfere with her religious development?

I would at least argue that, as we have a very active and sometimes destructive dog, that too many decorations would interfere with her health and safety, as there would be ornament shards all over the place.

My husband's stepmother is overall a nice and reasonable person, but she's visiting for his graduation and she's REALLY into Christmas (though she's not religious either). She'll have at least three or four full-sized trees and all sorts of other stuff.

ProtoLawyer (the now-actual lawyer, this isn't legal advice, please don't take legal advice from some anonymous yahoo on the Internet)Spouse (the political geek) * Stepdaughter (the artist) * and introducing...the Baby (um, he's a baby? He likes shiny things).

Wait, I thought that the issue was that you had Christmas decorations for a child whose parenting plan specified they be raised a different religion. I guess maybe I could see that (e.g. we agreed child would be raised Muslim, but the only holiday they decorate for is Christmas

The issue is that you decorations aren't big enough? Are they afraid this child will suffer from small tree syndrome, and convert to Wicca are as result? That's absurd!

I agree with your husband's step-mother. Light up santas should be purchased immediately. It's getting dangerously close to Christmas so your step-child may still end up Agnostic, but with a little luck and quick action you can at least prevent full blow Atheism.

Maybe throw in a giant blow-up lawn snowglobe featuring santa on a motorcycle just to be safe.

Um, wow. Doesn't that fall under - what happens at that parents house, is their choice? My ex has a small tree and that's if for decorations too. He works a lot, is home a limited amount of time, etc. I wouldn't DARE to comment on something as personal as that.

If he had graphic S&M photos out or something like that, then yah, it'd be an issue involving our kids - but not too many/too little decorations.... Aiyiyi, people will find anything to comment on!

I agree with your husband's step-mother. Light up santas should be purchased immediately. It's getting dangerously close to Christmas so your step-child may still end up Agnostic, but with a little luck and quick action you can at least prevent full blow Atheism.

Maybe throw in a giant blow-up lawn snowglobe featuring santa on a motorcycle just to be safe.

Agreed, but don't you think she needs at least one animatronic snowman that sings Christmas carols? The snowglobe is a nice thought, but if it doesn't sing, you can close your eyes and pretend it's not there.